Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1887-08-06

ny ~ iEUSkie 10 MN IN these matters,
he's mighty mistaken. I've about
made mp NV mind not 10 20 TO that
reception aud Mrs. Brown resolute-
~ stuffed all Thoughts OF that new black
velvet gown upstairs which had never
been worn.
The music ceased suddenly. and
Caroline wheeled about ON the piano
stool.
''Oh. mother"' she exclaimed in a
tone that should have rent the heart OF
the stoutest matron, "Why It's going
to De the SWEETEST affair this season"
mo. | shall not CO." Mrs. Brown
ans wered calmly. her face wearing an
expression rs firm Is that presented by
the rock of Gibralter. Not even il
Dan'l begs me-not if he should get
down on his knees and beseech me to
go! L am determined to punish him
this time"
The week went by; the household
affairs of the Browns ran in their &C
custOmed groove. Mr.. Brown dined
regularly with a good appetite and
talked to his W fe of soap. but no
word was sad about Mrs. Blacks re-
ceptiOn.
Thursday night, dinner YVES half ov-
er when Mr.. Brown remarked casually,
Lets see. is this the night we 20 out,
Sarah?n
'tio Out9" said Mrs. Brown calmly.
Yes"
go out where?" asked Mrs. Brown
in blank amaZement.
''Whv, isn't this the evening for
Mrs. Black reception
This is the evening for Mrs. Blacks
reception, but You know we were not
going"
Not gojngr' said Mr.. Brown in
surprise.
why, no. you recollect you said
you didn't care to go
ID dn't care to gOi' Oh the fine
sarcasm of Mrs. Brown, Hadn't her
husband SAID he would rather cut off
his head than 90. ID dn't he remem-
Der it distinctly. the very tones even in
which he had said il. His large round
face was covered with flaming bushes
At the remembrance. and he idgeted
intentionally in h char.
''But don't you and Caroline want to
go9' he asked. Il guess can stand
one more.
mo. | think I'd better stay at home
tonight. 1t will probably be Il very
elegant affair-the house and grounds
are Just right for 4 summer entertain
ment-but, as you say receptions are
tiresome.'
Dinner proceeded in i chilly silence,
which was not again broken until des-
sert came on. ION the whole Sarah.
perhaps you'd better get ready and
60" ventured Mr.. Brown. You
know what u queer stick Black is; it
would be very awkward for me if l
should meet him down town in the
morning and have to explain why we
weren't there
'Oh, you could easily get up IN ex-
cuse. Dan'l; you re splendid at that at
times; anS besides. it's very seldom
YOU meet him. ISM it?"
Or" said Mr.. Brown. Frightening
up with his happy .dea, III YOU want
Carol ne to 90, and don't feel like going
yourself. | could take her UP for I little
while just rs well rs not. don't care
a copper about going myself. but it
really seems as though some OF us
ought to 90; YOU know, the Blacks
came to our little company
Poor Dan'l! He was doomed to dis
appointment again.
mo; l had much rather Caroline
should stay at home; she ; been out too
much lately" Mrs. Brown answered.
paving no attention to Caroline'S visit
full look; and there's no sense in her
dragging you up there If you don care
to go.
1t was a melancholy little group that
sat around the library table after din
ner They all read assiduously. Miss
Caroline looked somewhat pOutv ABOUT
the lips. Mrs Browns masculine face
was forbiddng in the extreme. while
poor Dan'l was completely subduod.
II think I'll 20 down to the lodge
for a little while" said Mr.. Brown. at
length. irving TO speak in an Offhand
way, Us though he were perfectly at
ease; Eve have an installation to-
night
There was slight sinking at Mrs.
Browns heart at this announcement.
Since I o clock. though. sue was out
wardlv so firm there had been little
giving wav thin. She had not read
n word in the book she held open before
her. her thoughts had been TOO busill
engaged at Mrs. Black reception. She
wondered what Mrs. Appleton tlskt
would wear; perhaps the morning
papers would not give the toilets; II
that case she might never know! The
thought of the names in the paper wa:
maddenlng; she mentally read. among
those present were Mr.. and Mrs.
Daniel Brown and Miss Brown. Yes,
if her husband once more should urge
their going, possibly she might relent
and 90 with him.
But all hope took wings at mention
of the lodge. ''Oh. you're going TO N.
stall some more high pr!vates. arr
vou?' she snapped out. for she hat
grown verv nervous during the sus
pense of the last ID minutes. 81
thought Won mad an installation just the
other night!
That was an entirely different mat
ter. can't explain these things Il
YOU SCI YOU q understand them.
"No. | suppose not. said Mrs
Brown. wrathfulIy. Il suppose it wa:
a meeting of the High COckalorum
last week. and tonight it's a meeting
of the Lodge of Supreme Perfection
and Sublime Completion. isn't ite"
cit is q meeting of the Suprem'
Council, if that is what you mean
Sarah. replied Mr.. Brown with mucl
dignity, as ne stalked out OF the room